Railroad-crossing signal



Feb. 9 1926.

L. FRASIER ET AL RAILROAD CROSSING SIGNAL SH01 nu,

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Patented Felsn 9,

LEE FRASIER ANll CONNELL C. EINER, OF WAGO, TEXAS.

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Application ineaV January Toall whom it m (1,1/ concern Re it known that we, Linn Fimsrnn and CoNNnLL C. HINnn, citizens oii the United States, residing at Vfaco, inthe county of McLennan andi State of Tena-s, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in RailroadLCrossing Signals, of which the following is a specification.

This invention appertainsf to signals and more particularly toll a novel automatic signal for railroad crossings and the like;1

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a mechanical railroad crossing signal, which willi give an` audible and visual signalI automatically upon the approach of a train toward a crossing, the device being so constructed as to he positive in its operation and'require nov 'attention on the part of the operator of the train.

A further object of the invention is the provision of novel means for operating the visual signal, which can be eithei in the nature of ai swinging sign, or al wavingiiag.

A further object of the invention is to provide novel means foroperating the audible signal, the signal embodyingl a mechanical bell associated with the support for the visual signal. D

A further object of the invention 1s the provision of novel means associated with one ofthe railtracks for actuatingl the sigg nals` said means being so disposed as to be set in motion by the `flanges of the car wheels of the train approachingv the crossing.

further object of the invention is the provision of novel means for rendering an operating mechanism for the signals inoperative upon rearward motion of the train away from the crossing.

A still further object of the invention is to pro-vide an improved mechanical signal `for railroad signals7 of the above character, which will be durable and efficient in use, one that will be simple and easy to manu facture, and one which can be incorporater with afstandard vrailroad track at a small cost. .Y

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novelconstruction, arrangen'ient and format-ion of parts, as will be hereinafter more specifically described, claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which drawings I4 Figure 1 is a 4plan view of the signalA as, i925. semi no. linee.

showing the same incorporated with a rail`- road track. l Y, a

Figure 2 is a side elevation of thesame, one of the rails ofthe track being shown vbroken away, Y i

Figure 3 is a detail section takenvona the -line 3-3 of Figure 2 showing thenovel signal and a portion; of the operating means therefor7 y l Figure 4l is a detail section taken on` the line 4 4 of F igurc 1 looking in the direction of the a 1rows, illustrating the meansfor operating the rock shafts of the signalsy with the operating links,

Figure 5 is adetail section taken through the 'signal on the line 5 5 `of Figurev 3 looking in the direction of the arrows,

'Figure G is a side elevation sliowing a slightly modified form of the signal,

Figure 7 is an edee elevation ofa modified type of the signal,

Figure 8 is an inner'side elevation of the operating mechanism for the signal,

Figure 9 is a similar view showing the outer side of the opera-ting mechanism and showing the mechanism incorporated with a standard' railroad rail, i

Figure 10 is a detail transverse section through the operating mechanism of thc rail taken on the line 10`-1Q of Figu-reQ looking inthe. directionk ofthe arrows, f

Figure 1-1 is a detail' perspective view illustrating the formationofoneofI the operating rods, whereby the signall can loe` rendered inoperative upon rearward movement of the train, y

Figure 12 is a fragmentary topplanview of the operating mechanism fon t-he signals,

Figure 13 is a fragmentary view showing the outer side of the operating mechanism illustrating one of the slots formed therein for permitting the depressing movement of the track members.'

Referring to the dra'wingin detail, wherein similar reference charactersdesignate corresponding parts throughout the several viewsl the letter A generally indicates the improved automatic mechanical' railroad crossing signal and B a standard railroad track with which the same can be incorporated.

As 'shown the track Bf embodies they rails and 16, which can be supported in the usual manner by suitable ties (not shown). rl-he rails 15 and 16 embody the usual base flanges 17, the ball or tread 18 andthe connecting web 19.

"The improved automatic railroad crossing signal A embodies the audible signal C; the visual signal D; and the operating mechanism E therefor.

The signals C and D are preferably mounted upon a suitable supporting post or standard 20 arranged adjacent to the railroad crossing. This post 20 can be connected with One of the railroad ties or with a transversely extending base plate 21, which as Shown extend under the rails 15 and 16. The post or standard 2O` can be constructed from any desired material and is placed at a point convenient to the crossing whereby the same cany be readily seen by persons approaching the railroad track from either side thereof. The audible signal C is in the form of a bell and embodies a clapper 22 pivoted at a vpoint intermediate its ends, as at 23'0n a suitable bracket 24 carried by the upper end of the post 20u The inner end of the bell clapper 22 is disposedin operative relation to the bell cap 25, which is preferably carried directly by a frame 26for the visual signal D. The opposite end of thev bell clapper 22 has pivotally connected thereto an operating link 27 which extends downwardly toward the base plate 21. This link 27 has its lower end operatively connected to a crank 28,carried by the outer end of a transversely extending rock shaft 29. This rock shaft 29 is rockably carried by the webs 19 of the rails 15 and 16 as clearly shown in Figure 4 of the dra wings. This rock shaft 29 extends longitudinally of the base plate i 21 and preferably vterminates adjacent to the rail 16, which is remote from the post 20. It is obvious that when the shaft 29 is rocked, by the operating mechanisniE, which will be hereinafter more fully described,l the bell clapper 22 will be actuated for sounding the bell.

The audible signal can be in any other form that may be desired, and actuated in any other preferred way, but the form described has been found to be theV most advantageous in use.

A visual signal D as shown in Figure 3, embodies a sign plate 30 upon which can be aflixed in any desired way suitable warning indicia such as Train approaching. The opposite terminals of the sign plate 30 are provided with trunnions 31, which are located at the longitudinal axis ofthe sign and these trunnions are rockably mounted Within the side bars 32 of the frame 26. This frame 26, as shown, is of a substantial Open rectangular configuration and is secured in any preferred way to the supporting post or standard 20. The innermost pintle or trunnion 31 is extended beyond the inner side bar 32 of the frame and is provided with a crank 38. This crank 83 has rockably' connected thereto the` depending operating link 34, the lower end of which is in turn operatively connected to an outer crank 35 formed onarock shaft 36. This rock shaft 36 is arranged in spaced parallel relation to the rock shaft 29 and also extends longitudinally of the supporting base plate 21 and is rockably carried by the webs of the rails. The inner end of the rock shaft 36 terminates adjacent to the rail 16, which as stated is remote from the supporting post 20. It is obvious that when the rock shaft 36 is actuated bythe operating mechanism that the link 34 will be reciprocated which will rock the sign 30,'thus calling attention to approaching persons thereto to the fact that a train is approaching the crossing.

The novel operating mechanism E `for the signals C and D is preferably incorporated with one of the rails directly at a point spaced from the railroad crossing whereby the samewill be actuated by trains approaching the crossing at a short space of time before the train itself reaches the said crossing.

4This operating mechanism E embodies a face plate 40 which is secured in any desired way to the web 19 of the rail 16 in spaced relation thereto. As shown suitable bolts 41 are utilized for this purpose. The face plate 40 preferably extends flush with the y inner side face of the ball or head 18 of the Aby means of a laterally extending tongue 46 carried by the section 44 and a notch 47 for receiving the tongue formed in the inner end of the section 45. The upperface Vof the section 44 adjacent to the tongue 46 is provided with an elongated notch or pocket 48. At a point intermediate the ends of the pocket or notch 48 an upstanding tongue 49 is provided, for a purpose, which will also be hereinafter more fully described. The-sections 44 and 45 of the operating rod 42 are pivotally connected to the lower ends of hangers 50 and 51, which are preferably pivotally connected at their upper ends as at 52 to the face plate 40. lt is obvious that by this construction the rod 42 is permitted to swing longitudinally of the face plate and the rail. Disposed cxteriorlyof the face plate 40 a track roller 58, which is adapted to normally extend above the ball or tread of the rail. This track roller 58 is rotatably mounted at its axis upon a suitable pivot pin 54 carried by the upper end `ofa triangular' shaped rock plate 55, which is in the nature of and functions similar tov a bell crank. rlhis triangular shaped rock plate 55 is mounted for swinging movement at its angle on a suitable pin 56 carried by the plate 40 and the extreme lower end ci the rock plate is connected as at 57 to the section 44 ott the rod 42. It is to be noted at this point that when the roller 53 is depressed by the flange of a car wheel appreaching the crossing that the plate 55 wil be swung on pivot 56 and the entire rod will be movec longitudinally for causing the actuation of the bell. It is to be also noted that the section 44 of the rod is permitted to swing independent of the section under certain conditions, suoli as when the train is being moved'rearwardly away from the crossing. Arranged directly in front of lthe roller and in longitudinal alinement therewith is a second roller 58 which is adapted to normally extend above the tread ofthe rail and which is rotatably carried by a dog 59, which is pivoted as at 60` to the tongue 49 carried by the wall of the notch 48. When the entire rod 42 is slid longitudinally, it can be seen that the tongue 49 Iwill be moved out of the path of the lug (3l and that upon depressing movement of the roller 58, that the lug 6l will ride into the notch 48 and thus cause no movement of the section 44. When the mechanism is in its normal position and upon rearward iovement of the train, it can be seen that the roller 58 will bey actuated prior to the roller and the lug 6l will engage the tongue '49 swinging the section 44 on the link thus disconnecting the tongue 46 from the walls ot the notch 47 of the section 45. This operation will disconnect section 44 from section 45 and upon movement of the roller. 58 theV section 45 of the rod will remain stationary and the signal will not be operated. The face plate 40 is provided with arcuate slots 62 and the pivots of the rollers 58 and 58 and are adapted to ride in the said slots during depressing movement of the rollers. It is preferred to provide positive means for holding the rollers 58 and 58 above the tread of the rail and we have provided a leaf spring (S8 for engaging' the link 50 for normally urging the rod section 44 forwardly which tively connected to a crank 68 formed on the inner end of ythe rock shaft 86.

The visual signal D is operated similar tothe audible signal and a track shoe 70 is disposed eziteriorly of theface plate 40 and is adapted toA normally extend above the tread of" the rail. This plate or track, shoe 70 has its ends preferably curved as at 71 to facilitate the depressing thereof by the flanges of the car wheel. The terminals of Y the shoe can bemade in any other .desired way and if preferred anti-friction rollers can be carried thereby. A suitable guide bracket 72 is carried by the face plate 40 for the track shoe and limits the downward movement thereof.` This track shoe is connected to the plate by means of triangular shaped rock plates 73. and 74 which function similar to bell cranks and` these plates 78 and 'T4 are pivoted adjacent to one ofvv their angles as at 7 5 to the face plate.` Pivot pins 76 are utilized for connecting the triangular shaped plates 7 3 and 74 with the track shoe 7() and these pivot pins extend through arcuate guide slots 77 formedy inI the said hase plate. These pivot pins 76 areI disposed adjacent to the corners of the triangular shaped plates 78 and 74 which are remote from the pivot pins 75. The lower terminals of these plates are pivoted as at -f 78 to one Vsection 79 of the operating'y rod 48. The other section of the operating Vrod is supported by a swinging link 8=l Acarried by the inner surface of the face plate., It. is `to be noted that thepivot pinV 78 utilized for connecting the forward end of the shoe 70 with the rod 48 operates in a slot in the rod section, so that the rod section 79 can swing on the other pivot pin 78 without operating the trip shoe. The section 80 of the` rod 48 is in turn connected tothe pull rod 82 and this rod extends longitudinally of the rail 16 toward the supporting base 2l and this rod 82 isoperatively connected tothe crank 83 formed on the inner end of .the rock shaft 88.V It is thus obvious that when the shoe '70 is depressed that the sign 30 will be actuated. The opposite end of coil springs 84 are connected` to the outer terminals of the rods 67 and 82 and to the rail 16 respectively for normally holding these 'rods in their correct operative position. The sections 79 and 80 of the operating rod 48 are operatively connected together inthe same manner as the sections of the rod v4:12 and it is to be noted that the section 79 is also provided with a. laterally extending tongue 46 which lits in the notch 47 of the rod section 80. The upper face of section 7 9 is also provided with .the notch 48 andr the upwardly extending tongue 49. A swinging dog 85 is carried by the inner face of the face plate and provided with a depending lug 8G which is normally disposed in engagement with the tongue 49` of the 1 section 79 and this dog operates similar to the dog 59. Rotatably connected to the dog S5 by means of al pin 86 is the track roller 87 which is disposed exteriorly of the face plate el() and which normally extends above the upper face of the tread of the rail. This pin SG operates in a suitable slot S8 formed -inthe said faceplate. It can be seen that upon rearward movement of the train that the roller 87 will be depressed prior to the shoe which will rock the rod ksection 79 and move the inwardlyextending tongue 46 out of engagement with the rod sect-ion S0 and thus prevent operation of the rod 4.3 wlien'the said track shoe 'r'O is actuated. It thuscan be seen that thesign 30 will not be operated upon rearward movement of the train away from the crossing. The roller 87 can be held in raisedposition in any preferred way as can the track shoe 70. As 'shown a leaf spring 89 is carried by the face platea() and normally engages the dog 'Tt for holding the shoe in its raised position. The rod 6G can be supported by a suitable antifriction roller 91, which can be carriedV by the face plate 40. The forward swinging movement of t-lie link 50, which supports the section la of therod l2 is limited by means of a suitable stop block 92 carried by the said face plate 40.

In use of the improved device, when a train approaches the crossing the roller 53 and the track shoe 70 will be rockably depressed by the flanges of the car wheel pass ing thereover, which will cause the actuation of the bell and the sign as heretofore described. Upon rearward `movement of the train the rollers r8T and 58'will be de-l pressed prior to the shoe 70 and track roll-V er 53, thus causing disconnection of the rod sections 44 and 79 of the rods el?, and` 43 which will prevent the operationof the bell and sign as heretofore described.

Other suitable mechanism can be set in inot-ion by the track mechanism and, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, we have provided a flag 100 which is adapted to be rapidly raised or lowered upon the approach of a train. This flag 100 is preferably of a red color and is secured to a flag pole 101, which -is pivotally mounted at a pointintermeM diate its ends, as at 102 to the upper end of a protecting housing 103 for the flag. The housing 103 is secured to the post 20 in any desired way and the operating link 3ais Vconnected with the inner end of the flac' l?) pole, so that when the link is actuated, the

flag will be raised out of its protecting casing. The llag is normally held within the casing by its own weight. ,l

From the foregoing description it can be seen that a novel and simple means has been provided for giving an audible and visual signal upon the approach of a train. toward a railroad crossing.

Changes in the details may be made Without departing from the spirit or scope ol the invention, but:

ment ofthe pull rod, a triangular shaped plate rockably associated with one of the rails of a railroad track at a point remote from the crossing, means for operatively connectingL the plate with the pull rod, and a track trip carried by the plate at a point spaced from the pivot of the plate and normally disposed in the path of the flanges of the car train wheels.

2. In a railroad crossing signal, an operating mechanism disposed at a point remote from the crossing including a pull rod associated with one of the rails of the railroad track, said pull rod including inner and outer independent sections, means' rockably associating the sections with the rail, means detachably connecting the sections together including a tongue carried by one of the sections, and the other section having a iotch for reception of the tongue, means causing operation of the pull rod in its entirety upon movement of a train approach ing the crossing including a track trip normally arranged above the tread of the rail, a triangular shaped plate rockably associated with the rail, means pivotally connecting one rod section to the plate, and means connecting the plate to the track trip at a point remote from its pivot, and means for cansing the disconnection of the rod section for preventing operation of the rod in its entirety upon` rearward movement of the train including a trip, and means causing disconnection of the rod section upondepressing movement of the last mentioned track trip.

In a railroad warning device, a signal disposed adjacent to the railroad crossing, an .operating means for the signal disposed at a point remote from the crossing embodying a face plate secured to a rail of the track, a pull rod arranged intermediate the face plate and the web of the rail, the pull rod including a pair of independent sections, means independently connecting the sections Ato the face plate, means detacliably connecting the meeting terminals of the sections together including a laterally extending tongue carried by one of the sections, the other lsection having a notch for receiving the tongue, a triangular shaped plate pivoted at one angle` to the base plate, means pivotally connecting the lower end of the plate at a point remote from the pivot to the pull rod,v a track trip normally arranged above the tread of the rail connected to the triangular shaped plate at a point remote from the pivot point thereof and the pull rod, whereby upon depressing movement oi' the track trip mox'fement will be imparted to the pull rod, and means for rendering the pull rod inoperative upon rearward movement of the train including a track trip disposed forwardly of the lirst mentioned track trip, a dog pivotally carried by the face plate supporting the track trip, a depending lug carried by the dog, the section of the rod carry ing the tongue being provided with a notch adapted to be moved in the path of the lug upon movement of the rod by they irst mentioned trip, and a tongue carried by the lower wall of the notch disposed in the path or' the lug, when the rod is in normal position.

a. A railroad warning device comprising an audible and visual signal disposed adljacent to the railroad crossing, operatingl means for the audible and visual signals disposed at a point remote from the crossing i including a tace plate secured to one ot the rails of the track in spaced relation to the web thereof, a pull rod for the audible sig nal and an independent pull rod for the visual signal disposed between the web of the rail and the face plate, each of the pull rods including independent sections rockably carried by the face plate, means detachably connected together, track shoes vfor disconnecting the sections of the pull ro-d upon rearward movement of the train away :from y the crossing, and independent train operated trips `tor operating the pull rods.

5. ln a railroad. crossing signal, an oper- Y ating mechanism disposedv at a'point remote from the crossing including a pull rod associated with one of the rails o the railroad track, .said pull rod including inner and outer independent sections, means rockably associating the sections with the rails, means detachably connecting the sections together, means causing operation of the pull rod in its entirety upon movement of a train approaching a crossing including a track trip normally arranged above the tread oi' the rail, a plate roekably associated with the rail, means pivotally connecting one section to the plate, means connecting' the plate to the track trip at a point remote from its pivot, and means `for causing the disconnection of the rod sections for preventing operation of the rod in its entirety upon rear-l ward movement of the train.

In testimony whereof we ailiX our signatures.

LEE FRASIER. CONNELL C. HINER. 

